All new Radeon X1950 Pro graphics cards feature two dual-link DVI outputs with full support for HDCP encryption for high definition video playback. There is also a TV-out port as well. Radeon X1950 Pro graphics cards are currently only available in PCI Express and require an auxiliary six-pin power connector. Instead of requiring an external CrossFire dongle, ATI Radeon X1950 Pro graphics cards will use an internal CrossFire dongle, similar to NVIDIA’s SLI connector.

ATI add-in board partners HIS, MSI and Sapphire has announced its Radeon X1950 Pro based products as well. HIS modifies ATI’s design by equipping the Radeon X1950 Pro with its IceQ dual-slot heat-pipe cooling technology. The IceQ cooling solution resembles that of ATI’s Radeon X1950XTX and has found its way onto HIS’ X1950 Pro IceQ3 Turbo. HIS claims the IceQ cooler delivers 11 degrees Celsius lower temperature than ATI’s stock cooler. The IceQ cooler also reacts to UV lighting which makes it a perfect match for DFI’s LanPartyUT series of enthusiast motherboards. The HIS X1950 Pro IceQ3 Turbo is clocked at the default 575 MHz core and 690 MHz memory and comes equipped with 256MB of GDDR3 video memory. Dual dual-link DVI and VIVO is also supported on the HIS X1950 Pro IceQ3 Turbo.

MSI’ RX1950 Pro takes a different approach with the Radeon X1950 Pro. This time around MSI pairs the Radeon X1950 Pro GPU with 512MB of GDDR3 memory clocked at 700 MHz. The stock 575 MHz core clock is maintained with the RX1950 Pro though. Similar to the HIS X1950 Pro IceQ3 Turbo, the MSI RX1950 Pro has a dual-slot cooler as well. While all Radeon X1950 Pro graphics cards support dual dual-link DVI and HDCP compliance, there’s no mention if the MSI RX1950 Pro supports VIVO features as well.

Lastly on the Radeon X1950 Pro launch list is Sapphire with its Radeon X1950 Pro. The Sapphire Radeon X1950 Pro resembles ATI’s reference design, albeit the PCB is blue instead of red. As with the ATI card, the Sapphire Radeon X1950 Pro is clocked at 575 MHz core and 690 MHz memory with support for dual dual-link DVI, VIVO and HDCP functionality. Unlike HIS and MSI, Sapphire has opted to equip its Radeon X1950 Pro with a single-slot cooler.

ATI claims the Radeon X1950 Pro is shipping and available now at around $199.

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